Atlanta police officer fired after shooting, killing man
ATLANTA - The Atlanta Police Department has decided to fire an officer who shot and killed a man after he was allegedly spotted breaking into cars at an apartment complex in northeast Atlanta.
Atlanta police have identified the officer as James Burns. They described him as a rookie officer.
The shooting happened on June 22 in the 2100 block of Monroe Drive. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, an off-duty officer put a call out about a suspicious person who he thought was breaking into a car. The off-duty officer was serving as a courtesy officer at the Monroe Place Apartments.
Investigators said a foot chase followed.
One of the responding officers, James Burns, was out of his patrol car when he said he spotted 22-year-old Deravis Rogers. According to Burns, Rogers had already entered a vehicle when Burns opened fire and shot Rogers in the head.
Rogers was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he later died.
Investigators concluded Burns used unnecessary and unreasonable force. Based on the findings of the investigation, Atlanta police said they moved quickly to fire him.
"We determined right away that the shooting was not something the department could stand behind," Sergeant Warren Pickard told FOX 5's Deidra Dukes.
Rogers' aunt Ella Scott reacted to news of the officer's termination Monday afternoon. "Our family is still in shock from one, finding out he was shot in the head by a police officer. No communication from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta Police Department, and then to find out ultimately he had been fired. I feel like they are ultimately not dragging their feet but maybe doing the right thing by my nephew."